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B-CU Offers Summer Enrichment Programs for Area Youth

B-CU is gearing up for summer enrichment with elementary and secondary level youth enrichment programs focusing on mentoring, STEM and hospitality. Faculty and staff at B-CU will provide an academic and enrichment based summer curricula for students interested in the Pathways to STEM programs (grades 3-6), Hospitality Summer Bridge Program for high school students, the Business Entrepreneurship Education Academy (BEE), and Black Male Explorers Summer Academy.

The Pathways to STEM program was initiated by University President, Dr. Edison Jackson to strengthen the reasoning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics among adolescents. Students will have the opportunity to work with B-CU science faculty on projects in biology, environmental science, robotics & marine biology and learn about STEM careers. The program will be facilitated by florida certified educators and is in partnership with Volusia County Schools to support the extended learning children need over the course of the summer. Over 120 students meet each day to participate in STEM learning and activities. During the course of the program, students are exposed to personal development and career education presentations. Pathways to STEM began on June 13th.

In addition, the School of Hospitality Management will offer a Hospitality Summer Bridge Program for high school students. Eligible junior and senior level students with a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher that have a desire to pursue the hospitality industry will participate in a hands-on program that focuses on culinary, hosting, hospitality management, and event planning. This program provides students the opportunity to learn more about hospitality administration and potentially enrolling into the B-CU School of Hospitality Management. In the last four years, the summer program has assisted in the enrollment of over 20 students.

The College of Business and Entrepreneurship in partnership with the Business Entrepreneurship Education (BEE) Academy is sponsoring a three-week summer camp with New Hope Human Services to provide solutions based entrepreneurship programs to middle and high school aged youth. Approximately (65) 6-12th grade students will have the opportunity to participate in critical-thinking activities related to entrepreneurship. The BEE Academy will offer The Youth Entrepreneurship Start-Ups (YES!) and Getting Back to the Roots. These programs focus on youth development, entrepreneurship and socio-economic issues in the underserved communities. The BEE Academy will continue during the months of September – April as a biweekly Saturday program building on the foundation established during the summer camp. The plan for growth is to have youth incubators throughout Volusia County in Daytona, Deltona and Deland communities with a growing team of partners.

The Black Male Explorers program is offering its summer academy to new middle and high school aged youth. The program focuses on youth mentoring, tutoring and hands-on enrichment activities. Over 50 male youth from the local community have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in aviation, STEM, and graphic communication. Each summer the students are afforded a week of travel with their peers to expose the youth to new and various surroundings, opportunities and careers.

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About Bethune Cookman University:

Founded in 1904 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) today sustains her legacy of faith, scholarship and service through its relationship with the United Methodist Church and its commitment to academic excellence and civic engagement. B-CU offers 38 degrees on its main campus and online college. Located in Daytona Beach, B-CU is one of three private, historically black colleges in the state of Florida. The institution boasts a diverse and international faculty and student body of nearly 4,000. For more information, visit www.cookman.edu.